Landscape Enhancement: Low-Maintenance Shrub Restoration

newly planted boxwoods in a rockbed

Landscape Enhancement: Low-Maintenance Shrub Restoration

Ben Wolter, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Ben Wolter

We all know how easily our plants and shrubs can become overgrown. 

In this case, our clients hoped to clean up the landscape beds around their home, with the secondary goal of uncovering an attractive outcropping boulder that was obscured by overgrown boxwoods. Their third priority was to retain and reshape a pom pom juniper that had grown out of control.

pom pom juniper in need of pruning and shaping a perfectly shaped pom pom juniper in minnesota
pom pom juniper in need of pruning and shaping

A Strategic Approach

Rochester, MN, account manager Ben Wolter assessed the situation and explained the limitations of pruning the boxwoods. Due to the size and age of the existing shrubs, they would require regular pruning to keep the boulder exposed.

Since the homeowners hoped for a lower-maintenance solution, Ben recommended removing the large boxwoods and replacing them with smaller ones. 

He also assured our client that our team could restore the pom pom juniper to its original shape.

overgrown boxwoods in a rock bed newly planted boxwoods in a rockbed
overgrown boxwoods in a rock bed

A Quick Turnaround and A Happy Homeowner

Weller Brothers completed this landscape enhancement project quickly — about one week between the initial meeting and project completion. 

Typically, a crew of several Weller Brothers teammates work together on a landscape enhancement. Due to the smaller scale of this project, Ben took it on himself. He enjoyed the chance to work closely with our client with a personalized approach. 

While this was a “smaller” project, the result is significant!Let us know how Weller Brothers can help your landscaping in Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and Rochester.

Landscape Enhancement: Old Landscaping Gets a New Lease On Life

front of a midwest home with updated landscaping

Landscape Enhancement: Old Landscaping Gets a New Lease On Life

Ryan Benda, Account Manager at Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Ryan Benda

When a longtime homeowner contacted Weller Brothers account manager Ryan Benda in the fall of 2022, he knew he had a fun challenge ahead of him.

The home’s landscape was overgrown with mature plants, and the homeowner was struggling to keep up with the maintenance.

Before and After

front of a home with outdated general landscaping front of a midwest home with updated landscaping
front of a home with outdated general landscaping
home with a rock bed and outdated landscaping a Sioux Falls home with refreshed rock beds, edging, and plants
home with a rock bed and outdated landscaping

A Fresh Start

Our team’s first step was to clear the overgrown vegetation and create a clean slate. With the landscape beds cleared, Ryan worked with the homeowner to understand her vision for the space. Together, they designed a colorful, yet low-maintenance landscape that would complement the existing hardscape features like the retaining wall, steps, and walkways.

“I built the plan around existing features, accentuating them with specific plants and designs,” Ryan says. “We also included a drip-line irrigation system for easy watering.”

Blending Native and Urban

Like plant variety? Ryan’s got you covered with this design.

To achieve a low-maintenance and visually appealing landscape, he incorporated a mix of native grasses like Prairie Dropseed, Little Bluestem, Festuca, and Karl Foerster, along with hardy evergreen plants such as Mugo Pine, Arborvitae shrubs, and upright Junipers. For pops of color, he added Barberry’s and Coneflowers.

“With the perfect existing spot for a raised mulch bed, I added more native perennials for season-long blooming color by using Bee Balm, Stachys, Sedum, Yarrow, Gaillardia, and a brilliant Northern clump Redbud”, Ryan adds.

To accent the main walkway, we planted Amur Flame Maple clump trees that add a vibrant red hue in the fall.

a sad rock bed updated rock bed and softscapes
a sad rock bed

A Client's Delight

The homeowner was thrilled with the transformation, and we’re so glad!

When Ryan showed her the before-and-after pictures, she couldn’t believe the difference. Our team transformed the overgrown, neglected landscape into a vibrant, inviting outdoor space that was easy to maintain.

How can we bring your home’s landscaping back to life? We’re here to help in Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and Rochester.

Landscape Enhancement: Employee Patio at Sioux Falls Costco

Sioux Falls Costco employee patio

Landscape Enhancement: Employee Patio at Sioux Falls Costco

Allie Rea, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Enhancement by

Allie Rea

Everyone loves a trip to Costco.

But what about the employees? In Sioux Falls, the Costco management team wanted to ensure their employees could find a moment of reprieve amid the hustle and bustle that happens inside the warehouse.

That’s where we came in!

“When we had the idea of giving their employees a peaceful space outside to take their breaks, eat their lunches, or just enjoy the outdoors, we knew Weller Brothers was the obvious choice,” says local Costco management.

Before

The existing outdoor employee break area was a simple lawn space alongside the warehouse. While on break, employees had no appropriate outdoor areas dedicated to enjoying fresh air, eating lunch, or taking a smoke break. 

Sioux Falls Costco had little landscaping around the commercial property

Weller Brothers account manager Allie Rea was the mastermind behind this landscape enhancement. She says that she approached this project with the mindset of a Costco employee while considering the larger impact on the property.

“I tried to think like one of the employees going to use the patio space, but also kept in mind that this is a commercial space rather than residential,” Allie explains. “I wanted the shape and layout to be organic and symmetrical. We had to be flexible with the bed lines and patio footprint as we addressed unforeseen utilities, a hidden manhole, and many mature tree roots.”

Our Approach

Allie worked with the Costco team to select cost-effective pavers that are more elevated than a concrete slab. She notes that using pavers allows the space to change with the environment, while concrete cracks and breaks with the change of the seasons and the growth of tree roots. 

In selecting plant material, Allie considered both beauty and safety.

“I opted to install a row of Birchleaf Spirea to create an attractive barrier and feeling of security from the parking lot without creating blindspots for traffic,” she says.

Allie and the Weller Brothers team made it a priority to design and install the new landscaping around existing trees on the property. Throughout the updated space, she included additional simple and hardy Midwest perennials that complement other plant material on the property.

The Costco team adds their appreciation for the “hushed accents of colorful shrubs and summery mulch give off dreamy vibes that make you forget you’re in the parking lot of a wholesale retailer.” 

Sioux Falls Costco employee patio
Aerial view of Sioux Falls Costco employee patio

How About Your Employees' Space?

Next time you head to Sioux Falls Costco, you may see employees enjoying their new patio space!

“The employees have a variety of smooth, shapely concrete seating to choose from, and at any given time several employees can be found outside enjoying the employee patio,” says the Costco team. “They use the space to relax, decompress from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced environment inside, and just enjoy the fabulous summer weather in an area created just for them.”

Allie adds that she is happy to see Costco employees using the space each time she drives by and hopes to inspire other commercial and corporate locations to soften their parking lots and create something beautiful for their employees to enjoy.

If you’re considering a landscape enhancement for your commercial property, Weller Brothers is your go-to partner. Take it from the Costco team:

“Costco is incredibly pleased with the way Weller Brothers took a vision we had and brought it to life for our employees. We have been in partnership with them for over two years and have always been able to count on Allie and her team to provide landscaping enhancements, lawn care amenities, and all-around quality care for any and all of our business needs.”

Landscape Enhancement: AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls gets new landscaping from Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Landscape Enhancement: AlphaGraphics

Justin Pudenz, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Enhancement by

Justin Pudenz

AlphaGraphics is a top printing and marketing company in Sioux Falls. Their professional and friendly team offers quality services including signage, banners, brochures, stationary, and more.

Heck, we once ordered an eight-foot cardboard cut-out of a Weller Brothers teammate from them. They really do it all!

However, their exterior landscaping wasn’t aligned with the quality of service that customers experience inside Alphagraphics.

That’s why they came to Weller Brothers with a vision for updated landscaping around the commercial property, and Justin and the team got to work!

Before

After 18 years in their building, the landscape beds at AlphaGraphics had aged. 

“It was time for a refresh,” owner Paul Van Veldhuizen says.

The rock beds were in poor shape, and plant material alongside the building and in the boulevard was overgrown and impeding drive lanes, and the poly edging along the beds was no longer serving its purpose.

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls before their transformative landscaping upgrade by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
Side of a building with old rock bed and overgrown plant material
AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls before updating their landscaping with Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

After

Justin and the team approached this project with solutions that would be low-maintenance, durable, and look great. 

“I engaged Justin for a quote on what it would take to refresh our landscaping beds,” Paul says. “Within the week, he met me with a drawing and pricing. Very easy and easy to understand.”

This included removing the existing plant material and replacing it with arborvitaes along the building, willows in the boulevard, and a variety of perennials in the refreshed rock beds. 

We also replaced the old poly edging with steel edging, which looks sharp and will hold up much longer over the years. 

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls gets new landscaping from Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
newly planted willows in a rock bed at alphagraphics in sioux falls
new plant material and steel edging in a rock bed at alphagraphics in sioux falls

Hear It From the AlphaGraphics Team

Paul Van Veldhuizen, owner of the Sioux Falls AlphaGraphics location, says that Weller Brothers “made it easy.”
 
“They were very attentive to our needs and communicated very well when it came time to do the installation,” Paul says. “They even informed us of weather that may hamper their work. After the installation, Justin came by to make sure we were happy and to discuss care for the new plants.
 

Whether it’s time to refresh your existing landscaping at your home or a commercial property like AlphaGraphics, Weller Brothers is your go-to team in Sioux Falls, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, Iowa.

Contact us today to begin the conversation!

Landscape Enhancement: From Dead Grass to Bright Corner Bed

a green lawn with a mulch landscape bed and plants

Landscape Enhancement: From Dead Grass to Bright Corner Bed

Dallas Moore, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Dallas Moore

After a large corner lot tree was taken out by the May 2022 derecho in South Dakota, the homeowners struggled to grow grass in the area. 

This was due to the accumulation of pine needles over the years. Pine needles create a challenging environment for grass growth due to a couple of key factors:

  • Soil acidity: When pine needles decompose, they create acidic soil conditions, but grass thrives in neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
  • Nutrient depletion: Pine needles deplete the soil of some nutrients as they decompose while releasing other nutrients. This creates an imbalance that hinders grass growth.

The homeowner missed his tree and was tired of the unsightly brown area on the corner of the property.

As an eye-catching solution, Dallas designed a simple mulch landscape bed that integrated pollinator plants the homeowner selected. These included hydrangeas, Pugster Amethyst butterfly bushes, powwow white coneflower, and lobelia.

We surrounded the bed with steel edging that will provide years of longevity over poly-edging.

Our client was thrilled to be part of the plant selection process and says many neighbors have commented on the new focal point of his yard.

Progression Photos

street view of a home with a large pine tree in winter
Street view of the tree prior to the May 2022 derecho
lawn with dead grass
After losing the tree, grass struggled to grow on this area of the property due to the accumulation of pine needles over the years.
street view of a home with a mulch bed
Google street view image after tearing out the area and installing a mulch bed
a green lawn with a mulch landscape bed and plants
New mulch, steel edging, plants, and boulders are in place. We can't wait to see how this looks once the plants grow in after a year!

How Can We Help Enhance Your Landscaping?

If you have a landscaping issue you’re not sure how to fix, trust the Weller Brothers team to find a solution. 

We approach these challenges every single day and we’d love to enhance your landscaping, too, in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA.

Rochester, MN, Backyard Bliss with KTTC

Michael Blazing, PLA of Weller Brothers Landscaping in Rochester, MN with Thatcher Pools talking about Backyard Bliss

Create your backyard bliss on KTTC with Thatcher Pools

Creating your own backyard bliss is easier than you may think with the partnership of Thatcher Pools and Weller Brothers Landscaping

On June 21, 2024, KTCC in Rochester, MN, caught up with Weller Brothers landscape architect Michael Blazing, PLA, and Ben Thatcher, co-owner of Thatcher Pools, to talk about how clients can begin creating their dream outdoor living area with a pool. 

Do You Know Your Landscaping Budget?

backyard landscaping with a patio and pergola in south dakota

Do You Know Your Landscaping Budget?

Homeowners contact our team daily with their dreams for improved landscaping or outdoor living features. But, often, they have no concept of their budget simply because they don’t know a reasonable cost expectation. 

Part of doing our job the Weller Brothers Way includes making an extra effort to educate our clients and being transparent about how we price our products and services. We value the time of both our clients and our designers and for that reason, we strive to be upfront about landscaping costs.

Which Type of Homeowner Are You?

We frequently meet with two types of homeowners with misunderstandings regarding the cost of landscaping:

1. They Know What Their Budget Is

This homeowner comes to Weller Brothers with landscaping dreams – perhaps a new patio with an outdoor kitchen and surrounding softscapes – but with unrealistic investment expectations. 

“We’d love to have a backyard pool with surrounding pavers and softscapes, and maybe even a firepit. Our budget for this is $50,000.”

While this budget is nothing to scoff at, we’ll need to nix the pool to make it happen and encourage the client to prioritize their desired features to accommodate the budget. 

These conversations are always a bummer for both the client and our team. For this reason, we do our best to share our landscape budget guide online and in our initial client onboarding process to manage expectations and goals early in the relationship.

2. They Know What Their Budget Isn’t

“We don’t really have a budget in mind” or “We have no clue what’s reasonable,” is something we commonly hear from homeowners. “But here is what we want.”

Without a baseline budget to guide the way, we might spend time drafting a landscape design with the client’s desired features, often to be met with “Well, that’s more than we thought it would be. That isn’t within our budget.” 

Back to the drawing board.

If you know that you would spend, for example, $25,000 to $75,000, but you know that you won’t spend $80,000, let us know! While that wide range of available budget may not seem to provide our designers much direction, it gives us something to work with and could eliminate the potential for multiple revisions (which saves you money).

So, if you meet with a Weller Brothers landscape designer who asks, “Would you spend $50,000? Would you spend $80,000? Would you spend $150,000?” know that they aren’t trying to manipulate you into spending more.

They are identifying what your landscaping budget isn’t.

How We Work Within Your Budget

While some landscaping features may simply be out of the question for some price points (for example, a custom masonry outdoor kitchen on a $15,000 budget), our design team will work with you to manage costs as much as possible.

Here are some examples of features we can adjust to help manage your budget:

Wall Materials

We have many options across various price points for wall materials – between field boulders, manufactured block, or decorative block.

Patio Pavers

We source our pavers from a few different manufacturers, including Belgard, Unilock, and Techo-Bloc. Within these brands, there are many options for paver style, size, and materials. We can consider all of these options to help offset costs as needed.

Pool Options

Your backyard pool design provides many opportunities for cost efficiency. To give you an idea, a pool could range anywhere from $180,000 (no features or landscaping around the pool) to upwards of half a million dollars (including custom designs, lights, jets, slides or diving boards, and more.)

There are also price ranges between fiberglass (lower cost) and concrete pools (higher cost).

Outdoor Kitchens

Similar to your pool, we have a lot of room for adjustment with outdoor kitchens. A baseline outdoor kitchen is a simple kit kitchen that may include a countertop and a grill.

Conversely, your fully customized stone veneer kitchen with accessories like a kegerator, pizza oven, or sink will require greater investment.

Here are some ideas to consider for your outdoor kitchen.

Firepits

Going from a gas firepit to a wood-burning firepit is an easy cost-saving swap.

We can also discuss the materials for your firepit; for example, we can custom-build it from cinder blocks and stone veneer or purchase a firepit kit for a more cost-effective option.

Softscapes

We can manage the costs of your general landscaping, shrubs, trees, and plants by selecting smaller or different plants.

A common example is Boxwoods. They are popular in the Midwest but cost more as they take several years to grow. Instead, opt for Dogwoods, which have a quicker growth rate and are more cost-efficient.

Your Weller Brothers landscape designer will help you make cost-related material decisions that align with your priorities for your outdoor living space.

Also, you can trust that even if you go with the “cheapest” option for a feature, Weller Brothers still only sources high-quality materials for our clients and our landscaping projects in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA.

Let’s Align Expectations

We understand that if you don’t live and breathe landscaping like we do, it’s unlikely that you would have a realistic idea of the cost of landscaping features. 

That’s exactly why we have created our landscape budget guide. We encourage you to consult this before you contact us. That way, you will be confident of your next steps in investing in your outdoor living space and we can create a high-quality, long-lasting landscape design within your budget — whatever it may be.

Six Reasons To Use Native Plants in Your Next Landscaping Project

Landscaping project utilizing South Dakota Native Plants

Six Reasons To Use Native Plants in Your Next Landscaping Project

Did you know that utilizing native plants in your next landscaping project is not only great for the environment but can also make lawn maintenance easier?

We know that low-maintenance solutions are a priority as a homeowner. When it comes to your landscaping, Weller Brothers has you covered on the best ways to make a big impact on your property while only making a small impact on the earth. 

Let’s learn why you should choose native plants when spring makes its eagerly awaited arrival back to the midwestern states!

One thing to keep in mind is that different geographic areas have different types of native plants. Finding a local nursery that can serve as a great asset to ensure that your selection of native plants is native to your area

Native flowers in a landscaping rock bed.

Environmental and Pocketbook Friendly

Native plants are low maintenance because they are naturally well suited for the local environment. By choosing native species for your landscaping, you can significantly cut down the time and money you spend on multiple different aspects of maintenance.

Native plants offer a wide variety of benefits to connect us with our environment. Below are six reasons from the professionals:

1. No Fertilizer or Pesticides Needed

Native plants have adapted to their ecosystem’s soil. No matter if your soil is poor or extremely fertile, they can survive off of the soil’s available nutrients, as well as defend against the area’s insects, diseases and fungi. Not only does this save you time and cash, but it is also great for the environment.

2. Irrigation

Though our planet may be full of water, the availability of clean and safe drinking water is shrinking. Water that is used to irrigate your lawn, garden, or flower bed is valuable and can quickly add up costs in the heat of summer. Native plants generally require less water than non-native plants due to their adaptation.

3. Annual Bloom

Gone are the days of having to head to your local nursery each spring to purchase plants for your yard! Due to the adaptability of native plants, they will resurface each spring as if you just planted them, saving you the hassle of having to repurchase, cage, tear out, and replant each year.

Coneflowers in South Dakota Sunset.

4. Water Runoff

When rain falls, it must go somewhere. The soil will soak up some of the water and replenish the groundwater. However, most water flows into a storm drain as runoff, which is often polluted by several different types of chemicals. By adding native plants, you can help minimize the effects of this runoff as their deep roots help filter stormwater before it makes its way to a waterway.

5. Erosion Prevention

Erosion — it is a real pain! It begins to change the shape of your yard’s slopes and landscape beds and can even change water flow. The extremely deep roots from native plants can help stabilize and anchor the soil to avoid further erosion.

6. Fostering Habitats and Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the wide variety of life on Earth; from humans to tiny organisms, biodiversity is the interconnection between all living things. When you grow native plants you’re preserving the natural connections and habitats between organisms in your yard. Homegrown National Park is a nationwide call to action to regenerate biodiversity in the ecosystem. This allows for a unique habitat to be built for discovery and learning from children of all ages in the outdoors.

Traditional style landscape in front yard.

What Native Plants to Include in the Midwest Region

Since you are now convinced to create your very own habitat from native plants, sourcing and selecting the perfect plants comes next! Prairie Moon Nursery is an advocate for prairie restoration and is a resource for authentic native plants. 

Here are some of Weller Brothers favorite native plants that will not only thrive here in the Midwest, but add the fundamental elements needed to bring your landscape project to life.

  • Oak Trees’ (Quercus) ecological benefits number as high as their lifespan. Their mighty crown of branches provides not only an oasis of shade but also an abundant food source for native animals. The expansive root system also makes it an ideal choice for soil conservation, preventing erosion in natural or manmade terrain. 
  • Yarrow (Achillea) is a unique plant sure to add color and texture to your landscape. This deer and rabbit-resistant plant can grow in some pretty unfavorable conditions but will give you long-lasting blooms that seem to float above the stems like lazy clouds ranging from red to pink to yellow. Yarrow is also a perfect addition to any fresh bouquet or to cut and dry.
Vine like native plants in landscaping bed
  • Penstemon or Beardtongues are another native flower that come in a vibrant array of colors. These blooms provide a bountiful buffet of nectar to our favorite winged pollinators — hummingbirds and bees. As well as being an important player in promoting diversity, Penstemon is pest and drought-resistant. 
  • Grasses such as Little BlueStem (Schizachyrium) provide not only year-round interest to your landscape, but year-round safety to one of our most important gardeners. This grass is often chosen by the female bumblebee as her shelter for the long winter. The seed of this grass also attracts many varieties of songbirds, a welcome sign of life on our long and dismal winter days. 
  • Potentilla is a prolific blooming shrub that can add a pop of color to any landscape. Besides the benefit of beauty, the root system is fibrous and wide-spanning — acting as a perfect natural netting to prevent erosion.

Contact Us To Have the Professionals Design Your Native Plant Sanctuary

Take the guesswork out of creating an all-encompassing native landscape project and let the professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA, handle your project. 

Our experienced Landscape Design team will ensure your native landscape project comes to life. Contact us here to request landscape design services.

Caring for Your Outdoor Patio

Outdoor Fireplace with Custom Outdoor Furniture and Patio

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Caring for Your Outdoor Patio

Outdoor patios combine comfort, and versatility that allows relaxation, socialization, and while enjoying the outdoors! The ability to create a personalized and inviting outdoor area makes patios a favorite feature of many homes.

However, caring for a patio and outdoor furniture in the Midwest involves addressing specific challenges with the region’s diverse climate, including frigid winters, hot summers, and varying types of precipitation. 

Weller Brother’s landscape designers and HGTV are here to offer you their professional expertise to ensure your patio and outdoor furniture are maintained and cared for to optimize your next hosting experience!

Outdoor Patio Care

Not all patios are created the same; different materials need to be cared for specifically to ensure that you maintain the integrity of the paver materials. Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaning solutions that are not recommended for your patio materials. Here are our general patio cleaning recommendations:

Recommended Patio Cleaning Guidelines:

  • Remove all patio furniture, sweep off or use a leaf blower to remove debris from the patio. 
  • Hose down the concrete or pavers with a garden hose equipped with a nozzle that provides a strong stream of water or a pressure washer on a low setting. 
  • Use a mild grease-cutting detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to help brighten the patio surface. NOTE: Never use a wire brush as it can leave rust stains and scratch the concrete or paver surface.
  • Use a degreaser made for concrete to remove oily spots, often found near the grill.
  • If your patio is heavily discolored, you should call in a professional. They will apply a solution on the patio surface to bring it back to life.

Outdoor Furniture Maintenance

You should maintain your outdoor furniture  to ensure many years of comfort and pleasure in your outdoor living space. We recommend that patio furniture be “deep cleaned” at least twice a year – once in the spring when temperatures begin to rise, and once in the late fall before it is stored out of the winter elements. 

Regular cleaning is recommended for all types of outdoor furniture, this will minimize mildew, dirt and debris buildup.

How to Clean your Outdoor Furniture:

  • Wash cushions and furniture frames with mild soap and clean water. Let cushions dry completely before placing them back on the furniture to prevent mildew from growing.
  • Use auto polish on metal furniture frames to make them shine; make sure that the metal is not coated with a paint prior, as the polish will remove the paint. NOTE: When using new products on your furniture, test the product in a small inconspicuous area of the furniture prior to ensuring the product does not damage any metal finishing. 
  • Use a glass cleaner on glass tabletops and don’t forget to clean the glass on the windows of your outdoor lanterns so the light shines through.
  • Use a kitchen degreaser on grill grates and the outside of stainless steel grills. Learn more on how to deep clean your grill.
  • Open your umbrella and wash the fabric with mild soap and water, and use a household oil — such as WD-40 silicone lubricant — on any moving parts to keep them working well.
  • Remove and discard any old potting soil from planters and clean the insides of pots with a bleach and water solution to kill any insects or bacteria that may have overwintered in the pots. Fill with fresh potting soil and put in new plants.

Don’t Sleep On Our Outdoor Furniture Design Services!

Whether you have an outdoor living space that is in need of new furniture or you are wanting to upgrade your existing furniture, Weller Brothers is the place to call. In addition to a free face-to-face design experience, Weller Brothers also offers outdoor furniture cleaning in the winter months for existing customers! This gives you the opportunity to put your furniture out of sight and out of mind, while having it ready to use as the warmer weather quickly approaches again.

Contact Us For Your Patio Upgrade

If it’s time for a new patio or quality outdoor furniture in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, you’re in the right place.

Our experienced landscape design and furniture design teams will ensure your dream landscape project comes to life and stays that way. Contact us here to get started on your new outdoor living space!

The Best Plants For Your Next Midwest Landscaping Project

landscaping project in the midwest

The Best Plants For Your Next Midwest Landscaping Project

Living in the midwestern states is great, however some plants do not find that to be true. Not all plants thrive in the Midwest due to its climate, soil types, and other environmental factors. Plants may struggle due to the frigid winters, blazing summers, or various soil compositions. However, many native plants have adapted well to the Midwest’s conditions and flourish here.

As you begin creating your dream landscape project, there are a few things to consider when choosing a plant that will thrive in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN or Des Moines, IA

Ensure that the plants you include in your next landscaping project are Midwest-friendly with advice from the professionals at Weller Brothers and Better Homes & Gardens.

What to Consider When Selecting your Plants

When selecting plants for the garden, USDA hardiness zones provides detail on what plants will best survive your coolest weather. The Midwest region includes plant hardiness zones 3-5. 

Deciding which plants to grow in the Midwest can be tricky. Using the hardiness zone tool above, start by narrowing in on the plants that best fit your climate. A couple of other important things to consider when adding new plants to your yard is how much sunlight your plant will need and how much space you need between plants.

Feather Reed Grass a native South Dakota Plant

To transform a space and create a unique experience, Weller Brothers recommends incorporating a variety of color and texture; these elements add interest and richness to any design!  

Below are five examples of plants that will not only thrive in the Midwest, but also add key elements to bring your dream landscape project to life.

The Types of Plants to Consider:

    • Poaceae, commonly known as grasses, have narrow leaves with parallel veins and small, inconspicuous flowers.
    • Burning bush are apart of the shrub family. Shrubs are any woody plant that has several stems, none dominant, and is usually less than 3 m (10 feet) tall. 
    • Echinacea are flowered perennials also known as Cone Flowers, and are often cultivated as border plants.
    • Yucca, which is commonly referred to as Adam’s Needle, is  unforgettable for their rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-shaped leaves and large terminal panicles of white flowers.
Wood Iris in Midwest Landscaping Project including a pool.

How to Care for your Midwest-Friendly Plants

Once you have selected the perfect Midwest-friendly plants, placing them in the appropriate area, as well as ensuring that they are getting the proper amount of sunlight and hydration, is equally important to their life span. Different types of plants require different amounts of water and sunlight. Watering properly in the summer fends off heat stress; however, make sure to avoid overwatering and wetting the leaves to prevent disease in the already-muggy conditions.

If the thought of designing, selecting, building, and caring for  your newest landscaping project feels overwhelming, leave the hard work to the professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN and Des Moines, IA.

Our experienced Landscape Design team will ensure your dream landscape project comes to life. Contact us here to request Landscape Design services.